ELI WRITTEN EXPRESSION 3A

Winter 2009

Instructor: Carol Mckee                                                           

Textbooks: Introduction to Academic Writing 2^nd Ed.,                   Office : R 130 R

Oshima & Hogue                                                                                       Office Hours: Tue., Wed.,

Understanding and Using English Grammar, Azar                       Thurs., and by appt. 10:30-11:30

E-Mail: cmckee@bcc.ctc.edu Office Phone#: 564-4038

Course Objectives: The purpose of this class is to improve your writing skills so that you will be successful in credit classes at a college or university. The focus will be on writing the paragraph. At the end of this course you will be able to:

• Write 6  narrative, descriptive, and expository paragraphs including 2-3 in-class timed paragraphs.
• Develop and organize ideas using examples, facts, opinions, and anecdotes to support a main idea in a paragraph.
• Write clear topic sentences that identify and limit the topic and indicate the method of development.
• Write concluding sentences that paraphrase or summarize the main idea and add an appropriate final comment.
• Create variety and clarity by writing simple and compound sentences.
• Peer-edit and self-edit and proofread writing to produce grammatical sentences.
• Use the basic and perfect verb tenses, regular and passive modals, nouns, adjectives, pronouns and passive voice correctly.

Course Content:

Writing: Half of our class will be devoted to studying how to write a good paragraph in English. You will study how to organize and develop your ideas. You will read examples in your book and try to write your own ideas following these examples. You will also do practice exercises in small groups, pairs and by yourself to help you under stand the concepts of good paragraphs. Some of your paragraphs will be timed in class, and some will be written at home. You will also learn important editing skills.

Grammar: The other half of the class will be devoted to studying grammar. I will explain the concepts in class, and we do some short exercises to make sure that you understand how to use the grammar. However, most of your grammar practice will be done in your grammar book at home. We will correct the exercises in class.

Evaluation: You must have a 75% average on your class assignments and pass the final exam. If you don’t pass the final exam your grade will be lowered one letter grade.  Your writing final will be timed (a 50-minute paragraph) and will be evaluated by two teachers in the ELI Program. They will decide if your paragraph is passing or not. Your final letter grade will be determined by averaging your writing and grammar test grades. No exams will be given early or late for any reason.

Grading Scale:

A= 93-100

B= 84-92

C= 75-83

D= 70-74 (repeat level; good effort)

F= 0-70 (repeat level; unsatisfactory effort)

Attendance: You are expected to attend every class and to arrive on time. If you are late by 5 minutes or more 3 times, it will count as an absence. 10-11 absences will result in a D grade, and 12 absences will result in and F grade. If you miss a class, it counts as an absence even if you are sick. You should call a classmate to get the assignments that you miss. You will have one week to make up missed work. After one week, you will receive a zero if your work is not made up.

Students who have accommodation needs are required to meet with the Disability Support Services (DSS) office, room B 233-G (telephone 425-564-2498 or TTY 425-564-4110) to establish their eligibility for accommodation.  The DSS office will provide each eligible student with an accommodation letter.  Students who require accommodation in class must review the DSS accommodation letter with each instructor during the first week of the quarter.

Students with mobility challenges who may need assistance in case of an emergency situation or evacuation should register with Disability Support Services, or review those needs with the instructor as well.

Class Expectations:

1. Show up for class on time and prepared for the lesson.
2. Talking on cell phones and text messaging are not allowed.
3. No eating or drinking in class. Bottles with screw tops are okay.
4. Be active in class. American teachers expect you to ask questions and give your opinion when it’s asked for.
5. Be prepared to fully focus on your class work during class. Don’t daydream or have conversations with your classmates while others are speaking.
6. Show respect for other points of view, values , customs, and beliefs.
7. Use only English in class.

Winter Schedule

Date Topic Chapters           

Jan. 08-09                                              Course Introduction/in-class writing

                                                                Parts of Speech/grammar pre-test 

       12-16                                               Paragraph Format                                                IAW  1

                                                               Verb Review                                                         UUEG 1&2

       19-23                                               Narrative Paragraphs                                          IAW  2

(no class 1/19)                                      Compound Sentences

                                                               Verb Review                                                         UUEG 3&4

       26-30                                               Paragraph Structure                                            IAW  3

                                                               Adverb Clauses (Time)

                                                               and verb Review                                                  UUEG 5

Feb. 02-06                                             Descriptive Paragraphs                                       IAW 4

                                                               Nouns                                                                     UUEG 7

        09-13                                              Logical Division of Ideas                                   IAW 5

                                                               Run-ons and Comma Splices    

                                                               Pronouns                                                               UUEG 8

        16-20                                              Process Paragraphs                                             IAW 6     

(no class 2/16)                                      Complex Sentences                         

                                                                Modals                                                                  UUEG 9

        23-27                                              Comparison and Contrast Paragraphs            IAW 7

                                                                Modals                                                                  UUEG 10

Mar. 02-06                                            Definition Paragraphs                                        IAW 8

                                                               The Passive Voice                                               UUEG 11 

         09-13                                             Opinion Paragraphs                                           IAW 10

                                                               Gerunds and Infinitives                                    UUEG 14

         16-17                                             Review

              18                                             Final Exam